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Writer's picturesquint

Here is "KEA"



Who is KEA?

I am an artist. My artistic pseudonym is KEA. My art collection consists of over 800 paintings and is constantly being replenished with new works.


I was born in a small town in the northwest of Kazakhstan. Bright childhood, the surrounding nature, and the unique spirit of the country have left a mark on my artistic style. Despite the absence of an art school in our town, I devoted all my free time to drawing after lessons and studied painting at home using books.




At the age of 14, my family moved to Russia. Here, I successfully graduated from the Moscow State University of Design and Technology, specializing in footwear engineering. After working for several years at a shoe factory, I did not lose my passion for painting and realized that art is my true calling. This discovery prompted me to leave my old profession and restore the collection of paintings lost during the move. My memories became a source of endless inspiration, bringing new stories every day that I transferred to canvases. In each of my works, I invest energy, soul, emotions, feelings, and creative power.


For the past five years, I have been creating paintings in my own style on commission, each of which embodies my ideas and carries its own story.



Can you tell us about the art form you engage in?

My style cannot be attributed to any specific artistic movement. Often, I enjoy combining several styles, merging abstractionism, figurative art, monumentalism, and my own ideas in one piece. For me, the key aspect when painting a picture is conveying a certain idea, emotion, and creating special artistic techniques to enhance the expressiveness of the narrative. Gradually, I have developed my very own style in art, that helps me to stand out as an artist under the pseudonym KEA.




When did you discover your interest in art?

Drawing has been my favorite activity since early childhood. Thanks to my mom, the paints, sketchbooks, and pencils were always in abundance. A blank sheet of paper, childish imagination, and vibrant strokes of paint carried me into a world of boundless self-expression.




Is art a part of your daily life or is it somewhere more sacred to you?

For me, creating paintings is a special and even a sacred activity. Art, in my belief, possesses elements of religion: it adheres to its own laws and rules. Immersed in the creative process, one discovers new possibilities of self-expression. Guided by an invisible force, I move the brush, giving free rein to imagination on the canvas. At that moment all the boundaries disappear, and there is only me, art, and the inspiring world around us.




Where are you originally from and what are the influences of the region where you live or were born on your art?

My art reflects the unique influence of two countries - Kazakhstan and Russia. Kazakhstan is my homeland, where my worldview was shaped and where I have the brightest childhood memories from. Moving to Russia marked a new stage in my life, full of challenges that, at some point, deprived me of the ability to create. But even in difficult times, on lat e evenings, before falling asleep, I continued to create drawings in my imagination, grasping an invisible brush. These moments of inspiration brought me joy and happiness. Years later, I once again took up the brush and was able to bring to life those same images that were born in that imaginary studio of mine. It is in this inseparable fusion of two countries that I will find true self-expression in life through art.




We often see animal figures in your paintings, what is the reason for this?

The images of animals on my canvases carry a deep sacred meaning. In my childhood, my mother often read me mythological tales from around the world, and the main characters vividly appeared in my imagination, transforming into something sublime. Dogs, birds, and wolves from these tales possessed extraordinary grandeur, power, and loyalty. The depictions of fish from a mythological children's book had a particularly strong influence on me. Their eyes mesmerized me; they were as huge as the full moon in the night sky. The fish radiated calmness and serenity. Silent by nature, these creatures seemed to me symbols of sacred purity bestowed upon them from above. Many years have passed since I read that book, but these animals hold a special place and significance in my paintings. I alternate their images in my own painting technique and in different color compositions.




You have a very eye-pleasing color palette. What colors do you particularly enjoy using?

I choose the colors intuitively, preferring pure, bright tones. I have a special attachment to the color blue, which embodies something sublime in the narrative. Blue paint, with its harmonious shade, can immerse the viewer in an atmosphere of calmness and harmony. The yellow color on my canvases gives them grandeur and permeates the compositions with bright light. Another favorite color of mine is lilac. This color combines red and blue shades, symbolizing the union of two elements — masculine and feminine. In psychology, lilac is associated with a bright future, spirituality, and life energy, possessing the ability to evoke a sense of tranquility. Of course, my works also feature other colors, each of which is unique in the composition and carries specific meanings and artistic tasks.




Do you think an artist should receive an academic education or is it just a matter of emotions?

Many of the renowned artists have been facing the choice of whether to pursue academic education in the field of art or to break away from established standards and develop their own style. I believe that the talent for art is inherent in a person from birth and can be supplemented with education, but it is important to preserve this unique spark during the study. Talent is bestowed upon a person, and I believe that the main thing is to listen to one's inner inspiration and remain true to one's style. For example, in university, I studied academic drawing and specialized composition. On the one hand, this knowledge helped breathe life into my works, but on the other hand, it greatly limited the freed om of self- expression. Eventually, I realized that true creativity arises from the inner world, the depths of feelings, and I stopped



relying on the confines of education. It is important for me to feel the presence of higher forces in my creative process; it is in this interaction that I find inspiration and my own style.




Do you think it is possible for us to get an idea about your private life by looking at your paintings?

Each painting in my collection is a part of my life story, starting from birth. It tells the tale of what has influenced m y destiny, emotions, thoughts, through the people around me in different periods of time. Religious and cultural aspects of the two countries also played a significant role in shaping the narrative and influenced my own worldview.





Are there any artists you admire or follow with interest?

There are many talented artists around the world, but Gauguin is particularly close to my heart due to his unique and challenging life story and inspiring works.


The magnificent paintings of Modigliani, filled with love and lightness, also invariably captivate my heart. In my childhood, in my mother's library, I also enjoyed colorful editions about two outstanding artists: the Russian painter Boris Kustodiev and Nicholas Roerich. Their works mesmerized me and inspired me to spend long hours contemplating their creativity.




Do you think art has a chance to make the world a better place?

I believe that art is an integral part of what creates the unique mosaic of our world, revealing a common vision and uniting us spiritually. Its impact transforms reality, permeating us with a sense of love and the mysterious merging into a unified whole.




What do you like to do in your daily life other than painting?

In addition to art, I engage in sewing, wood carving, and clay sculpting. Photography is another passion of mine. Through the camera lens, I capture everything that makes my artistic heart beat stronger.




What is your least favorite type of art?

I love all forms of art. The creative work opens the world for me, and the way to the Creator. The entire spectrum of art is unique, like the living colors on an artist's palette. Perhaps I devote less time to other forms of art, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate them. Behind each work of art stands a talented individual capable of representing the world in various materials.




What is your least favorite type of art?

I sell my paintings via Instagram and am currently developing my own website, where I will showcase my painting and crafts.




What first attracts your attention when examining a work of art?

For me, the fundamental aspect is the emotional perception and harmony in a work of art. The key moment is establishing an invisible connection between the artist and the viewer. This connection then opens the door to the world of history and emotions that the artist represented in their painting.


Once, I bought a book about Van Gogh. His works amazed me with their beauty and skill. The poignant energy of his creativity soaked through the pages.


However, visiting the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands was an absolutely different experience. I was immersed in an inexplicable atmosphere. His technique seemed to pull me towards the center of the artwork. Every hall of the museum still vividly recalls in my memory.


Thus, it is important to be open to the perception of art, to trust one's own feelings, and together with the author, delve into a unique narrative.




Can you describe your art in one sentence?

Art is the birth of true love, inspired by every stroke of the brush, in which the soul is revealed.



Do you have any expectations for the future?

The future is devoid of its own reality; it transitions into illusory perspectives of time. I always rely on the Will of the Almighty and believe it to be the right thing to do. I am deeply grateful to God for the opportunity to create art and convey my own life story through the prism of my perception of this world.

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